Improvement in dash-boards for vehicles



G. M. PETERS. Dash-Board for Vehicles.

No. 196,475. 'Patented Oct. 23.1877.

N. PEIERSA PHGTO-LHHOGRAFNER, WASHINGTON, D Cv UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIOE.

GEORGE M. rETEEs, OE OoLUMBUs, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT I'N DASH-BOARDS FOR VEHICLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No.`19 6,475, dated October 23, 1877; application filed April 22, 1876.

usual way of securing such coverings is to` place them uponthe frame and then stitch them together by hand, the leather being drawn as tantas possible. This process, however, is a tedious and imsatisfactory one, as it is impossible to stretch the leather sufficiently tight to cause it to maintain a perfectly smooth and unwrinkled surface for any great length of time.

I overcome these difficulties, and at the same time, facilitate the manufacture of the dash, by the following manipulations, to wit: I first stitch the two ends and bottom of the coverings together, so as to form a satchelshaped bag or sack. The bottom end of the bag is slightly shorter than the open opposite endthereof, and thebag is thus sli ghtlytaperin g.

- Into the open end or mouth of this bag the frame isinserted,'and then forced in by any suitable appliances. The frame is made wedge-shaped for the purpose of stretching the leather in the act of forcing the frame into the bag. The tapering shape of the bag enables the frame to be more readily inserted into the bag, and when so inserted to stretch the leather thereof, and at the saine time lit the bag snugly. The mouth of the bag is then closed and stitched together, which act secures the frame within the coverings. Y

ln thev accompanyingdrawings, forming part of this specification, Figure' l is a perspective view ofthe frame and its bag-shaped covering, detached from each other; and Fig. 2 represents an enlarged vertical section at the midlength of the frame, the coverings being shown secured in position.

The metallic frame A is of any suitable size and shape, and it may be composed either of cast or wrought iron. Furthermore, the frame may be provided with bearings B B', wherewith it may be secured to the vehicle-body by bolts or rivets passing through a supporting.foot or knee-brace.

C C represent two pieces of leather of precisely similar shape and size, which are iirst placed back to back, and then stitched together at D D E, thereby forming a satchel or bag having an opening or mouth, F, either at top or end. These three distinct rows of stitching, being plain, straightforwardl work, can be accomplished with any sewing-machine in a few minutes, care being taken, however,

to have the two end rows D D approach each Y,

other very slightly as they approach the bottom ofthe bag. These end stitchingsl) D must be so located with reference to each other as not to allow a too capacious mouth for the bag, or otherwise the frame A will slip in too readily. Care must also be taken tohave the depth of the bag somewhat greater than the height of said frame. That end or side of the frame'which is to be first inserted into the' bag is slightly shorter than its corresponding end or side, so that the dash is a little tapering, thereby facilitating its introduction into the bag. These preliminary steps having been taken, the mouth F of the bag is opened, and the upper margin c c of the coverings C C are griped by any suitable appliances, after which the bottom of the frame is inserted in said mouth. Power is then appliedto the top of frame A, so as to gradually force it down into the bag, which latter is thus stretched to its utmost tension by reason of the tapering nature of the frame. As soon as the frame is brought in contact with the bottom stitching E the pressure is relaxed, and the bag, with its inclosed frame, is then detached from the griping devices. This act having been accomplished, the margins c c are stitched together at G, which may be done roughly by hand, thereby confining frame in the bag, after which the inner rows of stitching H H are run up, as seen in Fig. 2.

The dash is now complete, with the exception of the finishing rail or bar at the top, which ra-il may then. be applied in any convenient manner, preferably so as to conceal the stitching. As the.- bag is first forcibly distended by the application of the frame, and

then further stretched by the inner rows of Vsching HH/5 itis evd'entithznt the slwfaces cfbheV coverings G Gmc rendered perfectly sum-)0th,y and, lcve1,rzmydV :being attached i so Vse- Y curc1y there is ne poesibilij)T of their V@Ver be coming wrinkled i 01'- buckled.

V I As' a result of this mode cmamufacme, the; Y `dabshes are much more sightiy and more de sirable than'thccld style, and 1101150 liable to -c1ck. 1 Y Y Y .Anyconvenent appliance may bcemplcyeizfor .holding theibag and'fcreingthefmme into lche same; flauti 'prefelto usfc-afspecialmachineg for such :L p1upcse,` which machinel Wl be; =:made the subject; cfa seperateiappceticn for z patent.

flpreferred, the bag fC 1mayltelrnrxina'ce akt lling'fffand:secured.by stitching K i Y i idonei; ihere 'my any claim `|50- the slotted 1 bearing heretofore described, as the scidbeel i l Y Y -ing brmslthe subjectfcf @previous application.

f`What I clamesinew, and desire to secure byhettersPzute11t5s-V-V 'j n n Y Aleatherdaish JAche frameof which ,is made 1 tampering,substantiallyfas Specedf'for the purpose of stretchug theicover im the act of n Y n Y inserting the-flemme.` Y

Attest:

` DP. KENNEDY, n n n e CHARLES SGHAMNOL. 

